Grasshoppers

Adult Grasshopper

Grasshopper Egg Pods

© 2000. Ralph E. Berry, Department of Entomology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

There are about 70 different species of grasshoppers, primarily Melanoplus spp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae), that are common in the West and may invade potato and other crops. Adults of most species range in size from 20 to 30 mm long. Nymphs resemble adults but are considerably smaller and do not have fully developed wings. Nymphs and adults feed on foliage of host plants from May through September. During outbreak years, they can defoliate potatoes and transmit viruses, such as spindle tuber and unmottled curly dwarf. Some species have well-defined breeding and egg laying areas such as along roadsides and around field margins.

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